SCell RF Chain Deactivation for Carrier Aggregation Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier aggregation in user equipment (UE) leads to increased power usage due to continuous measurement of secondary serving cells (SCells), even when not actively used, causing interference with primary serving cell (PCell) operations and inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine a cycle time for SCell measurements, deactivating the SCell RF chain during periods of low activity and when the cumulative time is less than a threshold cycle time, based on opportunities and network parameters, to minimize power consumption and reduce electromagnetic interference with the PCell RF chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the SCell RF chain is continuously activated for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement cycles for SCell where the RF chain is activated only during specific measurement intervals and deactivated during remaining periods. The network configures measurement cycles with defined measurement durations and intervals, allowing the UE to perform measurements periodically rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the SCell RF chain status based on network conditions and measurement requirements. The network can dynamically adjust measurement cycle parameters, measurement durations, and RF chain activation/deactivation timing to optimize the balance between measurement accuracy and power consumption according to current operational needs.
2Reliability
If the SCell RF chain is continuously activated, then measurement reliability is improved, but electromagnetic interference with PCell increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic measurement cycles with controlled activation and deactivation of the SCell RF chain, the patent reduces the time during which electromagnetic interference can occur. The RF chain is activated only during designated measurement intervals and deactivated during intervals when measurements are not performed, thereby reducing cumulative EM interference with the PCell while maintaining measurement reliability through consistent periodic monitoring.
3Productivity
If measurement cycle time is reduced, then measurement frequency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement cycles where the RF chain is activated only during specific measurement intervals within each cycle period. By optimizing the measurement duration and interval parameters, the system achieves frequent measurements when needed while keeping the RF chain deactivated during non-measurement periods, thereby balancing measurement frequency with power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of measurement cycle parameters including cycle duration, measurement duration, and interval timing. The network can modify these parameters based on operational requirements to optimize the balance between measurement frequency and power consumption, enabling flexible adaptation to different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device are described that may be implemented by a user equipment (UE) that established a first connection to a first network component, the user equipment configured to establish a second connection with a second network component, the user equipment configured for a carrier aggregation functionality, the first network component serving as a primary serving cell (PCell) and the second network component serving as a secondary serving cell (SCell). The method may include determining a cycle comprising a first time when a SCell measurement is performed and a remainder second time, when the cumulative first and second times is less than a threshold cycle time, determining an interruption opportunity based on activity between the UE and the PCell and when the interruption opportunity is determined, deactivating a radio frequency (RF) chain associated with the SCell during the second time.